Its most famous prisoner was Nelson Mandela, who spent 18 of his 27 years in captivity there, alongside thousands of political prisoners.
Today, tourists can tour the island. They can get there by ferries departing from Cape Town’s Victoria & Alfred Waterfront.
Many tours are guided by former prisoners who share their stories and guide visitors through the maximum-security prison complex.
Apart from being a prison, Robben Island has served different roles across the last few centuries.
It was used as a leper colony from 1846 to 1931 and later as a military base during World War II.
In the 20th century, the island became a symbol of resistance as political prisoners, including Mandela, were forced to work in the quarries under harsh conditions.
Many structures from this period still stand, including the quarry with stones that the prisoners used to construct the prison’s main gate.
The Robben Island Museum (RIM) manages the island, which is carefully preserved as a historical and educational site.
RIM “implements a wide range of conservation, educational, tourist development, research, archiving, and general heritage programs”.
In addition to tours, visitors can see landmarks such as the 19th-century lighthouse, a World War II memorial and the lepers’ church.
